Women from Muslim sect in Canada undergoes FGM: Survey

The 80% of the women said FGM had been performed on them in Canada. Two of the 18 Canadian women, who were surveyed, said the practice has occurred within the borders of Canada.

The survey was conducted by Sahiyo, an organisation that comprises of anti-FGM activities and Dawoodi Bohra women. It was completed in February.

The survey was carried out on 385 women including 18 Canadians. 80% of them said they want the practice to end and also do not want their daughters to undergo the same practice.

The authors' lines were quoted by the Star as saying: "The findings (of the study) demonstrate that FGC (female genital cutting) is deeply rooted in the community’s culture."

"Understanding the complex social norms and cultural values systems that shape the meaning and significance of the practice within this community is critical work of anti-FGC advocates," the authors said in the research.

Female genital mutilation, also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, is a way of changing or injuring external female organs. It also causes partial or total of clitoris and labis.

The study said the FGM is done because of several reasons. One of the reasons is religion and the others include maintaining the Muslim customs and traditions and curbing sexual arousal in women.

The study was conducted to inform the Canadian government about the crime which is going on in the country. It has an aim to inform the policy makers and health officials to end the practice which is done on Muslim women in Canada.

Shaheeda Tavawalla-Kirtane, Sahiyo’s Canadian co-founder, who works to create awareness about FGM in India, has been tweeting the Canadian ministers with an aim to inform them about the crime that is going in the country.

In 1997, the FGM was included in the criminal code under aggravated assault.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)